TIMARU MAIN SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12477, 14 September 1904, Page 4

TIMARU MAIN SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE v. BOARD, At yesterday's meeting of the Board of Education, a letter was read from the Timaru x.iaiu School Committee withdrawing *} their resignation, " on the understanding.' Mhut tie improvements they had asked lor will hi carried out " as soon as funds permit." The committee's letter pointed out that the Board's "ambiguously worded resolution conveved- no assurance that the improvements -fri\l be carrifd out." Mr Talbot could not see that there was any ambiguity in the resolution. It promised reconsideration when funds permitted; the Board had no intention of binding themselves to carry out the- work. It meant that as soon as they had a chance .they would go into the matter again. Mr Campbell said the work was very necessary, and mrst be done. Thi chairman said they all recognised that. It w'as always a question of funds. •Mr Barclay :' As soon as the money is in hand we will reopen the question. The- chairman suggested that the Board might please the committee without hurting themselves by saying that the most urgent works would be done as soon as possible. But to pledge themselves to do all that the- committee required would be a very ihing. Mr Hamilton remarked that the Committee tried to" bind them down to a pledge. They should not allow the committee to remain under a misapprehension. Mr Barclay said filtere was no ambignity

about the. Board's ; it was as plain as possible. But it was not plain what- Would have ;to be. clone. First it was a question, of-:distempering; but it might turn.out that'structural alterations, rearrangement of windows, .would- be necessary. The Board would reopen the matter and deal with it according to their resources at the time. Mr Campbell said some reflooring was also necessary. The chairman said the committee asked them to anticipate the building grant and do the work in the next holidays. Mr Barclay said that was nonsense. The chairman did not think so. They had anticipated the grant many times before. Besides they were in a better position than thev had been as the £lB5 earmarked for tlw purchase of an addition to the grounds at Waimataitai would not be rrriuired. that scheme having fallen through. They had not much money in hand just now, only £330, besides the grant for rebuilding .at Orari Bridge, the amount of which was not yet known. Mr Campbell suggested that if the work was done in the Christmas holidays the grant would be down in time to pay for it. It would be unwise to close the school again to get the work done. On the motion of Mr Talbot, seconded bv Mr Rutherford, it was resolved—"That the Bnilding Committee be authorised to take into consideration the question of works asked for by the Timaru School Committee, to obtain estimates of cost, and rerinrt at nsxt meeting of the Board." No further action was taken with regard to the committee's letter in respect to the withdrawal of their resignation.